TALK of Bracknell Bees topping the Superleague this season is regarded as premature by coach Enio Sacilotto - but six wins from their last seven games is title-winning form, writes ALAN MANICOM.

Bees' 5-2 victory over Nottingham Panthers on Sunday night was their 10th successive home triumph over the Midlands club, who have to go back to 1998 for the last time they won at the Hive.

Sacilotto was honest enough to admit that the scoreline was somewhat flattering and he is very reluctant to tout his side as title challengers despite their recent rise up the table.

Bees' steady climb to third place has gone largely unnoticed but they are now just five points behind leaders Belfast Giants with five games in hand.

Sacilotto, though, insists: "It's far too early in the season to talk about a title challenge. We have as good a chance as any team. But right now, I would say all seven teams still have a chance of winning it."

With four consecutive away games, in three different countries, in the space of just 10 days coming up, Bees have every right to remain cautious.

Bees travel to Belfast on Thursday, then visit Nottingham on Saturday and Ayr Scottish Eagles on Sunday before returning to Belfast on November 10.

But there is no doubting the heart and team spirit that Sacilotto has installed in this Bees side.

Outshot 38-25 and on the wrong end of some very nasty challenges, they defended with determination, refused to be intimidated and snatched another victory with three goals in the last 6½ minutes.

In Brian Greer and Sunday's netminder Joe Watkins they must have the strongest pair of goalies in Superleague while, on current form, Mark Cadotte has the speed and skill to surpass the achievements of any forward seen at the Hive in recent years.

On top of that Sacilotto still has money to bring in two more players to strengthen his squad.

While shying away from bringing in an enforcer, Bees' boss admits: "We need more size."

But attempts to land a defenceman and, more pressingly a forward, have proved harder than expected.

"I'm now working on my third guy," he said. "I know the players I want, but I haven't been able to persuade them to come.

"I really wanted somebody in to help us over this tough schedule we have coming up but unfortunately it's not turned out like that."